I wasn’t really planning to buy one, but I found a 36" wheel on the trading post, and it was in the Netherland, only 135 km away!
I couldn’t resist that, so I bought the wheel.
It has a new Nimbus Isis hub, Stealth rim and a Nightrider tire.
I ordered a KH frame and seatpost, and took the other parts from my 29er, for the time being.
I put the 165/137 dual hole cranks on, the pedals in the 165 hole.
I put the uni together today:):).
I did some practice in the garage. Mounting succeeded after three tries:).
The space was very limited, and I had to look out for not falling over one of the motorcycles .
I could static mount, then hop, then roll for one revolution towards the workbench. Hop 180° and ride back for one revolution towards the door. I played like this for about half an hour, really happy that mounting isn’t a problem at all. Outside it was to dark to ride.
For information, I am 6’3", ride for about two years now, offroad on a 24"and a 29".
Tomorow I take the 36er to work, and ride around the parking lot during lunch break, can’t wait:)
Have fun riding your 36"er.
Oh how i envy you netherlanders. I was living near Breskens and Arnhem for about a year and i really, really do miss the bike paths there. If only the infrastructure was only half as good (am i kidding? the vienna bike path network, if you want to call it network, has only about 1200km) here.
Here an update after a few days with my 36er.
So here she is, Most of the parts are KH, the wheel is made with a Nimbus hub, rim and tire.
Last week I took the 36e to work, to ride around the parking lot. Mounting in the open was good, but most of the time with some hops before taking of.
The first few meters were a bit scary, on top of this big wheel, with a very different feel then a 29er. After 10 minutes I started to relax and enjoy the ride.
yesterday i went for a ride on easy singletrack, some double track and some tarmac. The places I normally go on my 29er.
What can I say, it was great fun on the big wheel, such a smooth and relaxed ride, absolutely awsome:) The hight above the ground is good fun, when overtaking joggers, this unicyle ads 1 foot to my length.
I can already do almost as much with it as on the 29er. This must have something to do with the 165 mm cranks, they give good control, and are fast enough on singletrack.
It really needs a handlebar. I will take it from the 29er, with the brake and the tacho. The 29er will get a period of rest, the 36er is taking over:p
''Last week I took the 36e to work, to ride around the parking lot. Mounting in the open was good, but most of the time with some hops before taking of.
The first few meters were a bit scary, on top of this big wheel, with a very different feel then a 29er. After 10 minutes I started to relax and enjoy the ride. ‘’
I didn’t know it was possible to hop on a 36er. I might have a go on my 26" tomorrow.
It’s good you’re having fun
Sure you can hop a 36er. I do the static mount, and sometimes my balance is of. I correct that with one or more hops before riding away. Offroad, hopping is a very important skill.
Then you can stop, look for a good line, reposition yourself and clear an obstacle.
Lately i am practicing rolling hops, to get over the bigger treeroots, lots of full when it succeeds.
Hopping is not very difficult, I think idling is way more difficult.
Make sure you wear shin protection when practicing hopping, the pedals can really hurt.
Another tip for practicing hopping: when you loose balance while hopping, do not try to jump of your uni. Quickly sit back on the seat and step of. I had some nasty falls when I started hopping for the first time.
And yes, I am really having fun, I wish I started years earlier.
I always look forward to my weekly offroad ride. I hardly use the bikes anymore.
Hi,
Thanks for the info about sitting back in seat then stepping off. Sounds difficult, but it will have a better result cos I’ll be nearer to the ground won’t I.
cheers,
I wear all my safety gear all the time, I’d be lost without it.
I too wish I had started earlier in life, but hey ho, regret only the things you didn’t do. At least we’re doin’ it now.
Hi, thanks for sharing the fun and joy you have with your shiny 36" ride.
And thanks for the tips. I am too trying to idle or to hop so i can manage longer rides in the city and eventually use the Muni to commute (maybe with a smaller tire). But for this, either idling or hoping would be necessary skills.
.
